Tom Hiddleston

It’s nearly 9:30 on a frigid New York morning, and Tom Hiddleston is running late for the day’s first interview. On arrival, the tall, lean Londoner apologizes profusely, blaming an itinerary that has him rushing from the set of his latest venture – a TV production of Henry V – to press day for Steven Spielberg’s War Horse, opening Christmas day.

All of which is perfectly acceptable – schedules at events like this are made to be broken – but what in god’s name is in that monstrous glass of olive-green sludge he’s waving about? “This is rocket fuel,” explains Hiddleston, 30.

Although most know Thor from the pages of Marvel comics, as a superhero distinguished by his thunderous hammer and his formidable golden mane – imagine a younger, leaner and more politically correct Dog the Bounty Hunter – the character became legend centuries ago, a central figure in Norse mythology.